Oxford Doc speaks at Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network Conference

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The Canadian Cardiac Oncology Network (CCON) models a leading-edge interdisciplinary approach to preventative and targeted medicine in cardiac oncology. This important field of study, aimed at understanding cardiac complications of oncology treatments, has gained a growing interest from a number of health care providers including oncologists, cardiologists, radiologists, nurses, pharmacists, basic scientists, physiotherapists and other allied healthcare professionals.

The 4th annual CCON conference was held on May 8-9, 2014 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and focused on: 1 ) gaining a better understanding of cardiac complications of oncology treatments, 2) developing early detection and intervention strategies to optimize cardiac health, and 3) optimizing patient outcomes by collaborating with allied healthcare professionals. There were over 90 delegates from across Canada, the United States, England, Germany and India, reflecting the International participation in this meeting.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Thomas Force, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pensilvania, who discussed ‘Kinase inhibitors in cancer and the heart’; and Dr. Sarah Darby, Professor of Medicine Statistics at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England, who discussed ‘Risk of ischemic heart disease in women after radiotherapy for breast cancer’. Presentations included: potential cardiotoxicities of novel molecular targeted therapies, strategies to prevent cardiotoxicity and novel imaging techniques to detect early signs of cardiac damage. There were several sessions dedicated to the establishment of National and International collaborations among clinicians and researchers including: Introduction of the National Cancer Institute National Community Oncology Research Program (Dr. M. Fisch), update of the International CardiOncology Society (Dr. Lenihan) and development of a Canadian Consensus Position Statement (Dr. Virani/Dr. Thain). The meeting concluded with presentations from 2 cardiac oncology fellows including presentation of results of an International Cardiac Oncology survey (Dr. Sulpher) and development of a Cardiac Oncology Fellowship Program (Dr. Murtagh).

Speaker presentations will be available for viewing on the CCON website at www.cardiaconcology.ca. To receive information about the next CCON conference and programs, please register as a member (www.cardiaconcology.ca/registration/) or contact CCON via email at info@cardiaconcology.ca.